The Beloved (pbuh) and patience

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
والحمدلله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على أشرف الأنبياء والمرسلين
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful the Most Compassionate
All praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the most noble of the Prophets and Messengers

Salaam alaikum everyone

We all know that patience is one of the most vital characteristics of the Muslim- so important that God sent a prophet, Ayyoub (as), solely to demonstrate the virtue in the face of the most trying situations. If we all recall, Ayyoub (as) was given blessings for 50 years, and they were all taken away from him- his children, his wealth and the love of the people. He was inflicted with a disease so horrible that no one wanted to be near him, except for his wife who took care of him. And still he did not complain, only saying “I have been blessed for 50 years- should I not at least bear with tribulations for that long?”

Mohammed (pbuh), also taught us about patience and perseverance. He said:

“The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant. From whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it. But when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but remains patient until Allah removes the difficulty)”

(Bukhari)

This demonstrates that a believer bears the wind of calamity and does not break. We can recount numerous incidents of the Prophet’s (pbuh) patience; whether it was with the brutal persecution, being born without a father and then losing his mother when he was a child, teaching people Islam, or even with temptations (for example the tribes made several offers of power, wealth and prestige if he would desist from inviting people to Islam). He dealt with all situations with forbearance, humility, compassion and mercy. One of the most extraordinary characteristics of the Prophet (pbuh), was that he never allowed hardship to unrest him. We all know of the man whoapproached the Prophet (pbuh) seeking advice, and the Messenger of God (pbuh) said,“Do not get angry.” The man asked for advice several times and the Prophet (pbuh) replied every time, “Do not get angry” (Bukhari). In this day and age, we know how important this is (see note below).

In a time when his people were abusing him, his uncle Abu Taleb, who had raised him after the death of his parents and grandfather, protected him and his wife comforted him. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said of Khadijah (ra): “She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.” (Ahmed)

However, his uncle Abi Taleb passed away, and soon after Khadijah (ra) followed. He then made the arduous trip to Ta’if. With no human to protect or comfort him, the Prophet (pbuh) turned to Allah, but not in despair and anger over his misfortune. The year was labeled “The Year of Sorrow”- although it was filled with pain for Mohammed (pbuh), Allah compensated him for that during the years to come, and with glad tidings that his beloved Khadija (ra) was in Paradise. The Prophet (pbuh) could have given up, but remembering that “… surely Allah is with the patient” (2.153)means that he was never alone, and that Allah would help him out of his hardships as a reward because“…whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him” (65:3)

Patience comes in all forms. It can be patience with worshipping Allah (pbuh), as He says:

“…so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship…” (19.65)

It could be with huge calamities such as death, or with everyday issues including studies. God (swt) says:

“Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honor and gifts then saith he, (puffed up), “My Lord hath honoured me. But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in despair), “My Lord hath humiliated me!” (89.15-16)

Tribulations even come in the form of gifts- how have we used these gifts? Have we thanked enough for them? One of the most important things to remember is that everything comes from God, and everything is for a reason. Tribulations come to teach us, to purify us and to test us- indeed, “On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear” (2.286). The Prophet (pbuh) says:“It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks Allah if good comes to him, and praises Allah and shows endurance if smitten by affliction. The believer is rewarded for everything, even for the morsel he raises to his wife’s mouth” (At-Tirmidhi)

For the easy bit:

“Whenever you go to bed, perform the ablution as you perform it for the prayer and then lie down on your right side.”

(Bukhari)

This is followed by the many athkaar one says before sleeping. In this particular hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“(O Allah! I surrender to You and entrust all my affairs to You and depend upon You for Your Blessings both with hope and fear of You. There is no fleeing from You, and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allah! I believe in Your Book (the Qur’an) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom You have sent).”

Then if you die on that very night, you will die with faith (i.e. or the religion of Islam). Let the aforesaid words be your last utterance (before sleep).”

As always, if anyone has any suggestions, or criticisms, please email me.

May we always be reminded of our Beloved (pbuh), and may Allah allow us to bear tribulations with patience from the moment they strike, like our Prophets Mohammed and Ayyoub (as). May we be prepared for Ramadan, and may we emerge from it better people. And may we be of the people who are neighbors of the Prophet (pbuh) in Paradise, and who are given the pleasure of seeing God’s Face. Ameen.

Note:The hadith does not forbid anger completely; only the kind that consumes a person and induces him to act hastily. It is natural to be angry; even the Prophet (pbuh) got angry when he saw an injustice or behavior offensive to God. But according to scholars, anger needs to be trained.